A traditional Panamanian dish — Bistec Picado Panameño is chopped steak, seared hot and fast, then finished in a savory pan sauce with onions and sweet peppers. It is one of those everyday dishes that defines Panamanian home cooking, served with hojaldres for breakfast or rice and patacones for lunch. A splash of Worcestershire sauce gives it the smoky-sweet edge Panamanians love.
Bistec Picado Panameño
A traditional Panamanian dish — Bistec Picado Panameño is chopped steak, seared hot and fast, then finished in a savory pan sauce with onions and sweet peppers.

Step by stepInstructions
- Season the beef pieces with salt, pepper and cumin.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat and sear the beef in a single layer until browned, about 4 minutes; remove and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Return the beef with any juices to the pan, toss to coat and cook 2 more minutes; stir in the culantro and serve with rice, hojaldres or patacones.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Do not crowd the pan when searing or the beef steams instead of browning. The dish is meant to be saucy — serve it with something to soak up the juices.

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